Vancity Vibes | DAY 17: (Pt. 1) Vancouver Aquarium Run + Last of Downtown

​Originally thought to have finished all downtown explorations for the trip, a last-minute adventure to the West End came to fruition with an acquaintance's all-too-tardy request for a postcard. (Seriously, you couldn't have asked earlier? Like before my three-week stay?)

After a breakfast of pourover and hot chocolate marbled banana bread, I managed to squeezed in yet another load of laundry. Baking tools were meticulously wrapped and put away for use on the next visit. Then, I would set out for the Vancouver Aquarium.

Uber emerged as my medium of choice, for the trip by transit would constitute well over an hour, making for a lengthier trip than my energy reserve would tolerate.

The driver was both curious and confused at my mid-day trip request. "Do you work at the Aquarium?" he pondered aloud.
"No, I'm just going for souvenirs." I clarified. "A friend asked."
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At hearing that I was on vacation without much of a tourist mindset, we began to engage in discussions about work, bubble tea supply and demand, and his personal local favourites. mello donuts and machi machi were announced as the must-go destinations. In addition to Uber, he told me, he was also invested in two other jobs: an export-import business operated between friends and an assistant to his wife's catering company. "You gotta hustle to survive here!" he declared.

​Before undertaking on the trip, I had contemplated my alternatives: local Canada Post offices or the smaller Van Aqua outpost past baggage drop at YVR. The former proved unsuccessful, for there were strictly Canada-themed postcards available, and tacky ones at that. The latter wasn't impossible, but operating hours may not necessarily coincide with my early departure time, as a relative had pointed out.

I called to confirm that the gift shop was accessible without admission before embarking. Surely enough, it was.

I browsed the selection enthusiastically, then proceeded to checkout. Hesitant to purchase one of ten styles of reusable eco bags, I retrieved a folded plastic bag from the depths of my backpack, much to the shock of the cashier. Albeit convenient for me, the act of utilizing plastic was viewed differently in BC: scornful and illegal (in certain cities of the GVA).

Throughout this entire segment, Larry was nowhere to be seen.

​Taking my leave, I leisurely strolled through Stanley Park back to Denman, accumulating warmth underneath my Sherpa zip-up along the way. 

I routed through the paths untravelled with the Thai aghase. These paved surfaces were pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly, serving needs in the realms of recreation and transportation.

​Nearing the Stanley Park bike loop, the paths diverged into pedestrian-only and cyclist-only lanes, like for the purpose of traffic control and collision prevention.

Neglected in our hasty escape from precipitation was turning our heads to gaze at the mountains behind us. With the skies overcast and atmosphere humid, I snapped a quick shot of the peaks, undoubtedly less snowy than in previous years, before continuing on my way.

​I searched for a Canada Post to fulfill the second half of my postcard-sending mission.

With Safeway's entrance blocked due to construction, I continued southbound in the direction of the Robson Public Market.

En route was Nukid, where the streetside menu depicting of kkwabaegi lured me within.

​The interior was admittedly adorable, dominated by solid coats of primary colours. In contrast were the speckled plates on which dine-in orders were served.

​Inside the display case were elaborate creations, ranging from filled brioche donuts to gaudily decorated twisted donuts. Seeking not a sugar rush, I opted for the Original.

The Korean café was quite affordable in spite of the intricate treats. The queue moved slowly, as most of the staff had been allocated towards baking procedures instead of cashier duties. I took the Original to go, in a biodegradable paper box as paper bags were extra charge.

Coated liberally in cinnamon sugar (with more sugar than cinnamon), the treat was pillowy and absolutely scrumptious. Surprisingly, it wasn't as sugary as I had feared. Moreover, it was airy within, inducing levels of enjoyment beyond the stiffy, doughy braid at World on Yonge.

​Into Robson Public Market I ventured for Canada Post - the second time of my entire existence. ​Needless to say, it was still as dilapidated as ever.

I boarded the 5 Downtown bus with the intent of connecting to the Canada Line and heading back home. As fate would have it, the bus stopped right before machi machi. Recalling the recommendation of my Uber driver, I alighted and popped in for a drink. With the probability of my sampling of the bubble tea franchise back home being less than ten percent, it seemed only fitting to enact the decision in the absence of grueling schedule demands.

Momentarily forgetting my injury, I elbowed the accessibility button, only to recoil in agony.

​The #6 Fizzy Passion Fruit Orange Honey Jasmine Green Tea was refreshing, though ridiculously expensive. After tax, the beverage totalled seven dollars with a whopping twenty-five cent cup fee!

​My request for a black tea substitution was denied, but I do concur: Green tea is more fragrant. That said, its strength was not something I could anticipate, and repercussions were suffered later on that evening.

The inclusion of passion fruit seeds was a bonus. Besides CoCo's Bubble Gaga, such additions are not that widespread in Ontario - at least, not to my west GTA end-er knowledge. "Boba Culture", as the locals described, was indeed stronger over here.

​Drink in hand, I maneuvered back outside in wait of the next bus, then transferred onto the SkyTrain. The return trip took surprisingly less time than anticipated.

Read Part 2 HERE !